Top headlines
USS Curtis Wilbur arrives homeport San Diego
SAN DIEGO – The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Curtis Wilbur (DDG 54) arrived in its new homeport of Naval Base San Diego after 25 years as a forward-deployed ship in Yokosuka Japan, Sept. 16. Read more...



USS Germantown completes forward-deployment to Japan,
sails for San Diego
SASEBO, Japan (Sept. 15, 2021) – The amphibious dock landing ship USS Germantown (LSD 42) detached from Amphibious Squadron (PHIBRON) 11 and departed U.S. Fleet Activities Sasebo Sept. 15, after a decade of being forward-deployed to Japan. Read more...



Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group operates in the South China Sea
Upholds Freedom of Seas, commitments to allies and partners
The Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group (VINCSG) is operating in the South China Sea for the first time during the group's 2021 deployment. Read more...



20th anniversay of attack: What you may not know about our air defense on September 11, 2001
It's been 20 years since Sept. 11, when terrorists hijacked four commercial airliners and flew them into New York's iconic World Trade Center, the Pentagon and a field in rural western Pennsylvania, killing nearly 3,000 U.S. citizens.
Whether the events of that day were etched in your memory forever, or you were too young to understand it at the time, it's a day all Americans know changed the course of our daily lives. Read more...



5 Sailors killed in Navy helicopter crash off California coast
Five Sailors from HSC-8 have perished after a Navy helicopter crashed off the coast of California.
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Military phase of evacuation ends as last plane leaves Kabul
The last military planes have left Kabul and the evacuation operation is over, Marine Corps Gen. Frank McKenzie, the commander of U.S. Central Command told Pentagon reporters Aug. 30. Read more...



Nation mourns loss of 13 servicemembers killed supporting Afghanistan evacuation
The Department of Defense announced the names of 13 service members who died while supporting Operation Freedom’s Sentinel.
They were killed Aug. 26, 2021, as the result of an enemy attack while supporting non-combatant evacuation operations in Kabul, Afghanistan. The incident is under investigation. Read more...



3rd Marine Aircraft Wing trains for modern island hopping campaign
MIRAMAR, Calif. -- Marines and Sailors with 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing participate in an island hopping campaign as part of advanced naval base training during Exercise Summer Fury 21. With assets positioned across the West Coast, both on land and at sea, 3rd MAW tested components of expeditionary advanced base operations in preparation for future maritime conflicts in the Indo-Pacific region.
Read more...



CNO visits Naval Special Warfare Command
Chief of Naval Operations, Adm. Mike Gilday visited Naval Special Warfare Command (NSWC) Headquarters and NSWC’s Naval Special Warfare Group One as part of a visit to the San Diego region Monday, August 23. Read more...



A difficult page to turn in Afghanistan: Veteran offers encouraging words
Dr. Grant Campbell served in the provinces of Kandahar, Logar, Paktika, Kunduz, and Parwan between 2012 and 2016. Read his entire column here.
To my fellow veterans: We must reconcile ourselves with the fact that it is unlikely that we will have a Normandy or Iwo Jima to visit in peacetime to share our stories and celebrate the stability and beauty that is there now. There will likely be no shortage of news and information that will show us the backslide that Afghanistan is experiencing and will likely continue to endure. We will question our mission and whether our actions could have been done differently. We will be tasked to resist the temptation to surrender to bitterness and disillusionment.
My challenge to you is simple. Remember that your decision to defend the nation after attack was voluntary in the face of danger and possible death. You served with distinction and brought honor to the uniform issued to you. The horror that was 9/11 has not visited the homeland since your commitment
Remember that the righteousness of a mission is not dependent on the outcome and your valor should be celebrated independent of geopolitical outcome. We are now charged with the care of each other and to carry ourselves in a way that would bring pride to our brothers and sisters who did not survive. Read more...



Resources for struggling veterans
Veterans from all eras are reacting to the events in Afghanistan, such as the U.S withdrawal and the takeover by the Taliban, and may question the meaning of their service or whether it was worth their sacrifice. US Dept of Veterans Affairs in California offers the following information. Read more...



SecNav Del Toro message to the fleet
To our Sailors, Marines, civilian employees, and their families and loved ones:
Today, together, we again embrace the most sacred duty – defending our nation and working to build a world more defined by peace than conflict.
I join you as someone who loves the Navy – who spent twenty-six years in uniform and another seventeen striving to make sure you had the capabilities you needed to fulfill your mission effectively and safely. Serving you as your 78th Secretary of the Navy is a high honor. It also carries grave responsibilities to which I will dedicate all my skill and devotion. Read more...



Carlos Del Toro sworn in as the 78th SecNav
WASHINGTON - The Honorable Carlos Del Toro swore into the Department of the Navy as the 78th Secretary of the Navy during a private ceremony at the Marine Corps Memorial Aug 9. Read more...



U.S. 3rd Fleet deploys forward in support of LSE 2021
PEARL HARBOR - U.S. 3rd Fleet deployed its headquarters to Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam August 3, establishing an expeditionary maritime operations center (EMOC) to serve as the fleet's command and control center in support of Large-Scale Exercise (LSE) 2021.
The now forward-based headquarters continues to perform daily functions of 3rd Fleet while also serving as the tactical nerve center for the fleet's participation in the globally-integrated, joint exercise. Read more...



USS Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group deploys
The Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group (CVCSG), led by Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 1, deployed from San Diego, Aug. 2, in support of global maritime security operations. CVCSG will begin their deployment by taking part in Large Scale Exercise 2021. LSE 2021 is a live, virtual, and constructive, globally-integrated exercise that spans multiple fleets, designed to refine synchronized maritime operations based on a progression of scenarios that will assess modern warfare concepts in support of the joint force. Read more...



New 'Navy Mayor' for San Diego: Rear Adm. Barnett assumes command at Naval Region Southwest
In a change of command ceremony on Friday, July 16, Rear Adm. Stephen Barnett assumed command of Navy Region Southwest from Rear Adm. Bette Bolivar.
On Saturday, July 17, Barnett joined the christening ceremony for USNS John Lewis, the first of a new class (T-AO) of Navy replenishment oilers being built at NASSCO shipyard.
Navy Region Southwest is one of eleven current naval regions responsible to Commander, Navy Installations Command for the operation and management of Naval shore installations in California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico.
Bolivar is retiring from the Navy after 40 years of service. Barnett reports here from Silverdale, Wash., where he served as Commander, Navy Region Northwest. He has previously been assigned as Commanding Officer, Naval Base Coronado.



MCAS Miramar holds change of command
Marine Corps Air Station Miramar (July 9, 2021) -- U.S. Marine Corps Col Charles B. Dockery, the outgoing commanding officer of Marine Corps Air Station Miramar (right), passes the organizational colors to Col. Thomas M. Bedell, the incoming commanding officer of MCAS Miramar (left), during the change of command ceremony at MCAS Miramar, San Diego, California, July 9, 2021. During the ceremony, Dockery relinquished his duties as the commanding officer of MCAS Miramar to Bedell. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jose S. GuerreroDeLeon.



New boss at ESG 3
Rear Adm. Michael Baze relieved Rear Adm. Philip Sobeck as Commander, Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) 3 during a leadership turnover ceremony on board Naval Base Point Loma June 21.
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Subaru of El Cajon presents "Sharing the Love --The Musical." The Film short begins with the Musical which is a story of three friends during the pandemic that decide to hit the road and have some fun. They also find out about themselves and what true happiness is. How do 30 people come together during a pandemic and create a Hollywood-style musical? Learn about that too through a look behind the scenes and interviews with key people. Sharing the Love was conceived and created in 100 days using all San Diego-based actors and crew..Click here to view video on youtube.Read about the behind the scenes action .... click here.



No burnt paws: Summer safety tips for your pets
Heat safety is essential to caring for your pets - and now that it’s getting hotter, let’s talk texture and surfaces!
A common tip for summer days is to put the back of your hand on the ground for 7 seconds to make sure it’s not too hot for your pet’s paws. And while this is great advice, it’s important to remember that surfaces retain and release heat differently. For example, grass is cooler on a hot day than mulch. Cement is cooler than asphalt. And hot sand - well, it seems like everyone in San Diego has burned a toe or two on that at some point!
So while you’re out and about, take note of the surfaces your pet’s feet are touching and do temperature checks throughout your walks. And remember - an area that’s shady now may have been in the sun for hours. That’s why it’s still important to check the temperature of the ground even during early evening walks. The good news is that by training yourself to take these precautions, your pup can have a safe summer even when temperatures soar!
Visit our website for other helpful tips! Read more...



San Diego native takes charge of U.S. 3rd Fleet
Vice Adm. Steve Koehler relieved Vice Adm. Scott D. Conn as commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet, during a change of command ceremony at Naval Base Point Loma, June 3. Read more...Read

USS Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group returns to San Diego

PACIFIC OCEAN -- Two F/A-18 Super Hornets assigned to Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 11 launch from the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71), April 29, 2021. The Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group returned to San Diego May 25. Read more...

Welcome home Makin Island ARG: USS Makin Island, USS San Diego, USS Somerset, 15th MEU
More than 5,000 Sailors and Marines of the Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) returned to their San Diego homeport May 21-23, concluding a seven-month deployment to the U.S. 3rd, 5th, 6th, and 7th Fleet areas of operation.
Marines with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), embarked aboard the ships of the ready group, arrived off the coast of Southern California, May 21, to disembark at Camp Pendleton. Read more....
Pictured above: Aviation Ordnanceman 2nd Class Branston Moore and a member of his welcome home committee!

SAN DIEGO (May 23, 2021) Information Systems Technician 1st Class Jasmin Trias greets family following amphibious transport dock ship USS Somerset ’s (LPD 25) return to homeport of Naval Base San Diego. Somerset, part of the Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group returned to Naval Base San Diego May 23 after a deployment to U.S. 3rd, 5th, 6th and 7th Fleets where they served as a crisis-response force for combatant commanders in the Africa, Central and Indo-Pacific Commands. U.S. Navy photo by MC2 Michael J. Lieberknecht.

SAN DIEGO (May 23, 2021) Cryptologic Technician (Collection) 1st Class Kameron Bradley greets his family for the first time after returning to homeport from a seventh-month deployment aboard the amphibious transport dock ship USS Somerset (LPD 25) U.S. Navy photo by MC2 Michael J. Lieberknecht.

USS Bunker Hill returns from deployment
Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Bunker Hill (CG 52) returned to San Diego, marking the successful completion of its deployment to U.S. 3rd Fleet and 7th Fleet areas of operations, May 22.
Bunker Hill, part of the Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group (TRCSG), departed on deployment to the Indo-Pacific, Dec. 23, 2020. Read more...

USS Russell (DDG 59) returns from deployment
Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Russell (DDG 59) returned to San Diego after a deployment to U.S. 3rd and 7th Fleet areas of operations, May 21.
Russell left San Diego in early December 2020 to take part in a sustainment exercise with the Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group (TRCSG) before deploying to the Indo-Pacific, Dec. 23, 2020.
Read more....
Pictured Above: Lt. Andres Solarte, from Brentwood, N.Y., holds his child on the pier after disembarking Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Russel.



Camp Pendleton: A bison's paradise
Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton was given 14 Plains Bison from the San Diego Zoo from 1973-1979. Today, the bison herd consists of approximately 90 individuals. Along with another herd on Santa Catalina Island, the herd on Camp Pendleton is one of only two wild conservation herds of bison in all of California.
Read more....



USS Bonhomme Richard decommissioned at Naval Base San Diego
The U.S. Navy held a decommissioning ceremony for amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) at Naval Base San Diego April 14... Read more....

Welcome Home!
USS Freedom (LCS 1) returns to San Diego homeport

NAVAL BASE SAN DIEGO (April 12, 2021) U.S. Navy Sailors man the rails aboard Freedom-variant littoral combat ship USS Freedom (LCS 1), April 12. Freedom returned to Naval Base San Diego following their deployment in support of Joint Interagency Task Force South’s counter illicit drug trafficking mission in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific. U.S. Navy photo by MCSN Richard Cho.



Change of command at NMCSD/NMRTC
Capt. Bradford Smith turned over command of Naval Medical Center San Diego (NMCSD)/Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command (NMRTC) San Diego to Capt. Devin Morrison, presided over by Naval Medical Forces Pacific Commander Rear Adm. Tim Weber April 9.... Read more....



Capt. Ted Carlson assumes command of Naval Base San Diego
Naval Base San Diego (NBSD) hosted a Change of Command with Capt. Ted Carlson relieving Capt. Mark Nieswiadomy March 24, 2021.. Read more....



Navy, Marine Corps release Unmanned Campaign Plan
The U.S. Navy and Marine Corps released their Unmanned Campaign framework. The Unmanned Campaign Plan represents the Navy and Marine Corps’ strategy for making unmanned systems a trusted and integral part of warfighting. Read more....



Navy announces release of MQ-25A home basing final Environmental Assessment
The Navy has released a final Environmental Assessment (EA) and Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for home basing of the MQ-25A Stingray carrier-based Unmanned Air System (Stingray CBUAS) at Naval Base Ventura County (NBVC) Point Mugu, California. Read more....



Sign up now to'Bridge' the distance between us at MWR virtual run May 9-16
This year Navy Region Southwest Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) Program will ‘bridge’ the distance between us, as they open registration for a Virtual Bridge Run event! Read more....